THE BROMLEY HOUSE LIBRARY NEWS LETTER November 2019 Chairman’s letter Our Annual General Meeting 2018/9 saw the library continuing will be held in the library on to flourish. At the end of the year Wednesday 20th November there were 1,710 members - a 2019. Each member is entitled small increase on the previous to attend. The formal notice of year. We acquired 1,137 new meeting is on page 3. I hope you books, audio books and other can attend, but I know many items, made 14,901 loans, and members cannot. In this letter provided 24 talks and a full I aim to give an update on the gallery programme. library’s position. This success would not have The meeting will consider the occurred without the support and accounts for the year ended 31 contribution of our staff team and March 2019. Copies of these the many volunteers who assist accounts are available in the with the operation of the library. library and on the website (www. The building projects create extra bromleyhouse.org). If you ask a pressure on staff and I hope member of staff, we will post you members will join with me in a copy. expressing our appreciation to all those who work in the library.

What’s happening behind the door... THE BROMLEY HOUSE LIBRARY NEWSLETTER

Chairman’s letter (ctd.) Trustees standing for re-election them, the other to take responsibility for conservation Annual accounts and the promotion of our special collections. It is of Maggie Else The accounts continue to show the library in a strong note, that this year we spent more than previously on After a career in local government and further education in a variety of professional financial position. In our day-to-day activities we show conservation of our older collections – an indication of roles, Maggie was awarded a Churchill Fellowship and retired from traditional work a small operating surplus in line with our budget our direction of travel. to develop and progress disability sport in the UK, through the Paralympic sport objectives. Our income from subscriptions, combined of boccia. Having chaired the sporting governing body for England and been a UK with the rents from the shops, covers the expense of the Board changes director, she now officiates regularly at national and international competitions. library operation and the running of the building. Current directors (trustees for the purposes of Charity Maggie is a chartered librarian, qualified teacher, lecturer, experienced performance Law) in addition to me are - Elaine Aldred, Zaimal Azad, and project manager and continues to work in these areas for several employers, In addition, we hold sufficient resources (with the help Maggie Else, Sheelagh Gallagher, Nigel Lowey, Martin including local authorities, charities and the Ministry of Justice. She is also a director of the grant from Historic England) to fund the current Stott, David Tilly, Richard Tresidder, David Hallett, and of several charities, chairs the Winston Churchill Memorial Trust and is Chair Elect of phase of the building works. That satisfactory position David Hoskins. Bromley House. results from years of economical use of resources combined with the generosity of many members (by I am standing down as Chairman, and from the Board, at David Tilly volunteering time, by gift or legacy), and of grant-giving the end of this year’s AGM. I am pleased the Board has David is a corporate lawyer and business adviser. He moved to in 1994 and has worked for leading law trusts and organisations. agreed Maggie Else will be my successor, and David Tilly firms in the city ever since. He now combines legal consultancy, with Geldards LLP, with business advisory services her Vice Chair. They will make a strong team and I am and a portfolio of board roles, both public/charitable and commercial. He has chaired the boards at Nottingham The first phase of our building project sure will lead the library forward successfully. Playhouse and , is a trustee for Young Creatives Nottingham, is non-executive director 2018/9 was dominated by preparing for the main for a number of private businesses, a member of the Council of the and a business works. By the end of 2019 we will have our new roof Nigel Lowey is also retiring from the Board at the end of representative on the board of One Nottingham, the strategic partnership for the city. and rainwater drainage system, a number of structural this AGM. Nigel has been a Board member since 2007 repairs carried out, the Thoroton room converted to contributing to the development of our IT systems and David Hoskins become a local history room, the attics fully restored bringing to the table not only his huge enthusiasm for David is a retired Civil Engineer and spent most of his career at the Environment Agency and its predecessor and many rooms rewired and lit. This has been a large the library but also much business experience. bodies working in the fields of land drainage, river engineering, potable water supply, water reclamation and flood project, causing unavoidable inconvenience to members risk management. David has a family connection with the library going back 40 years and has advised the library and staff (to both, thank you for your patience). I hope In addition to myself, the directors retiring at the AGM on issues relating to the restoration of the building for some time. He is also a Trustee and Council Member of the you will find the improved building once again a pleasure under the rotation provisions of our Articles are Maggie Thoroton Society of Nottinghamshire. to use and be assured that we have secured the physical Else and David Tilly, who are both standing for re- future of Bromley House and removed a major risk for election. David Hoskins responded to our call for new the charity. trustees last summer and was welcomed to the Board in July. In accordance with our Articles he also retires at The second phase of our building project the AGM but, being eligible, will stand for re-election. For more years than I care to count, we have aspired to provide a passenger lift for members. The roof had Notes from each of the three directors standing for re- to come first but the lift is now our priority. Provisional election are on page 3 of this newsletter. plans are being drawn up by our architect and we are working to prepare a realistic budget cost, so we can President settle how we will fund the work. While all this is being It gives me pleasure to confirm that Ann Treneman ANNUAL GENERAL MEETING done, we will have the spring and summer to enjoy has agreed to continue as the library President for the the library and garden without sharing it with builders. next year. I would like to thank her for her support and NOTICE IS HEREBY GIVEN that the Annual General Meeting of Bromley House Library will be held on Wednesday 20 When things become clearer, and we settle on our plans, contribution since the last AGM. November 2019 commencing at 2.15 pm in the Library, Angel Row Nottingham NG1 6HL for the following purposes:- members will be the first to know. And finally 1. To receive the report of 4. To re appoint Rogers David Hallett Bromley House Library The library operation As I stand down from the Board (having been chairman the directors and the Spencer Ltd as Honorary Secretary Angel Row While recently concentrating on putting our house in since 2005) I express my personal thanks to all of those financial statements independent examiner 11th September 2019 Nottingham, NG1 6HL order physically, the completion of these works, and the members, volunteers, directors and staff who have for the year ending 31 and to authorise the 0115 947 3134 strength of our membership, now allows the library to helped and supported me. It’s been an honour to be part March 2019 directors to fix their A member of the company www.bromleyhouse.org turn its attention to its other main aim; the delivery of a of the evolution of Bromley House and often great fun 2. To elect directors. remuneration. who is entitled to attend high standard of service to those using the library and and a hugely enjoyable experience. 3. To confirm the election and vote may appoint a Registered charity no. the increased use and understanding of our historic of Ann Treneman By order of the Board proxy to attend and vote 1074752 collections. If the measure is for each generation to pass the library as president for the in his/her stead. A proxy Company limited by to the next in not worse, and hopefully better, condition forthcoming year need not be a member of Guarantee no. 03413612 This summer, following the retirement of Nicola Rae, we than they inherited it, then I hope it can be said we the company. (England and Wales) recruited two new part-time librarians – one to oversee succeeded. our general operations and the systems that underpin Victor Semmens

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‘Up on the roof’ Members’ survey results a few photos from the building work: In the last newsletter, we asked you to complete a survey Developing our use of IT about your experience of membership to help us to think We pride ourselves on being a face-to-face library but about changes we could make to improve the library . we can also see ways in which technology can improve We had nearly 200 responses, giving us really useful, the service we offer. Many of you would like the ability constructive feedback, so it’s taken us a little time to to reserve books and lecture tickets online, to listen to digest that and to think about what we might want to podcasts or streaming of the talks, or to connect with do as a result. We’re putting detailed responses on the each other online. We’re looking into ways to do all of website but below is a summary of some of the things these things but it will take some time to get these right that you told us and what we propose to do differently as so please bear with us. a result. The music collection Things you love about the library We asked a question specifically about our little-used It was great to read so much positivity about the music CDs, to see if there was still an appetite for this library. Many of you talked about the staff, the wide- part of the collection, with streaming of music gradually ranging collections, the garden, the friendliness of other becoming the norm. The majority of members who members and the unique atmosphere that the library had an interest in the collection, asked that we broaden offers as the reasons you enjoy your membership. the range, for example including jazz, folk etc, but the response was small, and this is something that we are likely to revisit in a few years’ time.

The coffee room “I’d never heard of Bromley House The coffee room is until my family bought me a year’s the social hub of the “Being part of a family of fellow subscription for my 80th birthday. Best library but some of bookworms and local history enthusiasts present ever.” you felt frustrated with within a wonderful setting” the facilities provided. This is a tricky issue to address – we don’t have water to other parts of the building, so we need to make things work better within our current space Finding your way around our books constraints. We’re working on A common theme in the survey was members struggling plans for this – ideally moving the audiobooks out of the to navigate our book stock. We’ve already started to room to create more space for chairs and to allow the make some changes based on this (see the note titled collection to be browsed more easily. ‘book moves’ on p10) and we’ll continue to improve signage around the library and on our catalogue to help A few of you asked whether we could purchase a you to find things more easily. coffee machine that offers more options, like a ‘pod’ machine or similar. Commercial machines are more Using our rooms expensive than you might think and we are conscious We like to keep the library as relaxed and informal as of the environmental impact of coffee pod machines, possible but that has led to some confusion about what so this isn’t something we are looking to invest in at the behaviour is expected in our rooms, particularly as we moment. Having said that, we are happy to hear any have more members using laptops and other electronic ideas you might have to please continue to talk to us devices in the library. about this.

We’ve put a reminder of our general room guidelines on This is just a snippet of the feedback we received and The new roof is now complete and the building is in late November/early December and generally get the back page and we’ll revisit this again when we have a the things that we plan to do. Visit our website for more watertight once more. As this newsletter goes to print, the building back to normal by Christmas. Look out for clear idea of how the new attic rooms are working. information or look for the folder in the coffee room titled the scaffolding is coming down and the final parts of information about events to celebrate the end of the ‘Members’ Survey 2019’. work are underway, namely the internal work to refurbish project and unveil the new-look attics! the attics. We hope to bring the books back from storage

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New staff - Natalee and Anja Audiobook Collection In September, we welcomed two new librarians onto the team. Here is a short ‘hello’ from each of them. When I started at Bromley House Library in 2008 the While physical book sales remained static in 2018, audiobook collection comprised two or three bookcases audiobooks are the fastest growing publishing format Natalee Mousley-Metcalfe Anja Rohde situated to the side and in front of the counter. with 13% growth in 2018, according to Nielsen Book Librarian (Operations and Systems) Librarian (Special Collections and Conservation) Scan. Revealing the figures at The London Book Fair’s The collection was initially started because the library did Quantum Conference, Nielsen said the audiobook boom is Fascinating, warmly welcomed and dusty work all Hopefully I will be a familiar face to lots of you, as not have space for large print books, but now it is popular continuing with volume up 13% since 2017 and up 87% since describe my first two days in the post of Librarian at I have spent many happy hours in Bromley House across the membership. A decision had been made 2014. This of course means all forms of audiobook Bromley House! in recent years, and am delighted to have now to cease buying audio tapes and concentrate including streaming, online and subscription ‘graduated’ from library member to library staff! I on CDs, and purchasing for the collection was services. It is becoming a little harder to buy Hello, I’m Natalee and I join the library after a lengthy started work as Librarian for Special Collections and one of my original duties – with an injection quality titles on CD – and sometimes it means service in the NHS as a Systems Librarian and a Conservation on 25th September, and will usually be of cash to expand the collection. Eventually buying what is available rather than just the short spell at Loughborough University. I have been here on Wednesdays, Thursdays and Fridays. it was found a new home in the new coffee latest best sellers. But occasionally some gems a Librarian for more years than I will admit, being room with extra shelf space, so less need to appear in the listings, often from the USA. Chartered for the last ten, with experience of many I come from a museum background, having studied withdraw stock. In the recent members survey sectors including Higher Education, charities and archaeology and worked as a Collections Officer and it became obvious that this collection is a real Don’t forget to suggest any of your favourites - we international development. Curator in various local museums. Aside from my favourite amongst our members, and it has now can’t guarantee to buy them due to price or format but love of old books, my specialism is in medieval coins, outgrown its new home. In the coming months a new we will do our best. And finally thank you to our volunteers I’m passionate about libraries and feel privileged to so be warned that I may talk at you for hours if I get location will be found that gives easier access to the who help clean, count, shelve and even make extra shelves be working at Bromley House, and like many others, started on that subject! collection, thus making browsing better. for the collection can’t wait until the building works end so I can get Geraldine into the beautiful garden! Gardening is also a passion Over the last few years I have moved from museums into of mine, so this will be a much-anticipated day. library work, most recently at the Library of Manuscripts and Special Collections at the University of Nottingham. You will see me around the Library on Tuesdays, There’s lots of overlap between the two industries, of Thursdays and Saturdays and I look forward to course, and I anticipate many chances to use my skills Treasures of the library meeting as many members as I can and hearing from my previous roles here at Bromley House; I’m sure more about your Bromley House histories. my cake-baking skills will continue to be handy too! A spotlight on two fascinating volumes that can be found in Bromley House Library. More information on each can be found on our website. I’m looking forward to meeting you over the coming weeks. Do feel free to introduce yourself and say hello The Queen’s Wake edition of ‘The Queen’s Wake’ does not have these pages; if you see me in the library. it was acquired before the poem became widely popular. The library holds a first edition (1813) of James Hogg’s Whoever bought it was at the forefront of literary taste. ‘The Queen’s Wake’. Its publishing history is interesting Les Wilkinson and makes our edition of the poem particularly important. The Cherub Hogg is best known as the author of ‘The Private Memoir and Confessions of a Justified Sinner’ (1824), but it was The library holds a rare volume of late 18th and early 19th ‘The Queen’s Wake’ that made Hogg’s reputation. After century hymns, psalms and anthems that it is attracting going bankrupt as a farmer, he moved to Edinburgh and musicological interest. This collection of handwritten and edited ‘The Spy’, a literary magazine, which was also published manuscripts includes works by John Newton failure. Hogg had ready several poems, but realised that, (1725-1807) who composed ‘Amazing Grace’ and the following the success of Scott’s ‘Lay of the Last Minstrel Nottingham composer, William Matthews (c.1759-1830) and Marmion’ and Byron’s ‘Child Harold’s Pilgrimage’, the who composed ‘Angels from the Realms of Glory’. format most in favour was the long, book length poem. So, he set his individual poems in the fictional context of Matthews, a hosier from Ilkeston moved to Nottingham a competition between bards to celebrate the return of where his musical talents led to the position of choirmaster Mary Stewart from France to the Scottish throne in 1561. at St. Mary’s in the Lace Market. Matthews dedicated his prosaically titled ‘The Cherub’ to the Countess Dowager The poem was published by George Goldie in Edinburgh Manvers of Holme Pierrepoint. The subscription list and by Longman in London. When Goldie found he had reads like a veritable ‘Who’s Who’ of English aristocratic a best-seller, he brought out a second edition – which families and landed gentry that offers unique insight into had additional pages sewn in before and after the original patronage and dissemination of late-Georgian and early- text. Gowrie used the ‘afterword’ to provide background Victorian sacred music to Hogg’s life as ‘The Ettrick Shepherd’ and to inform Chris Turner his readers that until his late teenage years, Hogg had been a ‘common’ illiterate farm hand. Significantly, our

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What was your book of the year? Groups Bromley House Reading Group meets on a Tuesday at Room to Read concentrates on both fiction and non- As we come to the end of 2019, we’d love to hear your feedback on your ‘books of 2pm for an hour, every third week between September fiction and offers a space to talk about books and reading. and July. We recommend titles to each other for the Likes, dislikes, new books or old. Sometimes there are programme and draw up a list aiming to cover a range new purchases to showcase and sometimes we discuss the year’ – get in touch and let us know. of fiction and non-fiction, with occasionally some drama what the library should purchase in future. The group is and poetry, ranging from the seventeenth century to usually led by Geraldine or Melanie so it also offers group One of our trustees, Martin Stott, picked out two non- the present day. For example, we’ve recently read ‘The members the opportunity to chat about library matters. fiction titles for 2018, both of which are available in the English Passengers’ by Matthew Kneale, ‘The Underground library: Railroad’ by Colson Whitehead, ‘Prodigal Summer’ Poetry Please is exactly what it sounds like - a group to by Barbara Kingsolver and ‘The Ladies’ Paradise’ (in recite and listen to poetry that pleases us. There is no Belatedly… my book of 2018 was The colour of time – a translation!) by Emile Zola. pressure to read out loud we have members who are new history of the world 1850 to 1960 by Dan Jones and more than happy to listen to a civilised hour of verse and Marina Amaral. Marina Amaral is a skilled colourist. She Meetings always start with a focus on the chosen ‘book discussion, usually on a particularly theme. has worked with the historian Dan Jones to identify 200 of the week’, but rarely end there! Members of the group historically interesting black and white photographs and to have a wide range of interests and relish sharing their Room to Read meets every month, Poetry Please painstakingly colour them (researching each picture to try opinions and their passion for books. At the end of the every two months, and the dates can be found on the to be as accurate as possible). In the process she brings discussion we rate the book on a scale of one to ten - groups page of the website or email geraldine.gray@ sepia monochrome history startlingly to life. The pictures and it is not often that there is a consensus; but that is bromleyhousehouse.org for a list. cover a wide range of topics – we see gold diggers from why the meetings are lively and wide-ranging. the Klondyke, the dead at Gettysburg, Chinese victims German conversation of the Opium Wars, the blood-stained room where the We meet in the George Green Room, in a group of up Sprechen Sie Deutsch? The library has a members’ Romanovs were shot and Emeline Pankhurst being to twelve members, [which is about the limit that can German Conversation group. They meet for an hour or so arrested. Darwin, Rasputin, Tolstoy and Abraham Lincoln be accommodated] but people do leave and join, so on the last Thursday afternoon of the month to practise are among the famous personalities to spring from the anyone who is interested should contact the library, or their German speaking and listening. It is very informal, page. Jones writes a short essay/extended caption to Joan Geddes on [email protected] or Heather with no tuition or homework. And its free! Regular accompany each picture. It’s a stunning and powerful Coombs on [email protected] attendance is not necessary, just turn up when you can. book. Room to Read and Poetry Please New members are welcome, but the group does ask “Breathtaking”, “The closest thing to a time machine”, These are two of our groups that have no waiting list that you are already at or near intermediate level (sorry, “Bringing history to life” are just a few of the online review or set text to read. We always welcome new members, no absolute beginners). For more information, please headlines. I’m not alone in being captivated by this book. please drop in at any time to suit you. contact the counter.

My favourite surprise was Reading the Rocks by Brenda Maddox. This was actually the Sunday Times book of the year in 2017, I’ve since discovered. It tells the story of key Victorian geologists and fossil hunters and their endeavours to make sense of the landscape around them. The Irish Archbishop, James Ussher, had calculated in the 17th century that the world was created in 4004BC. How could they reconcile the biblical creation and flood story with the fossils and rock formations they were discovering? As well as charting this struggle, the book also records their attempts to understand how geological features were carved into valleys and dales before the theory of glaciers was articulated.

Darwin began his professional life as a geologist and this book shows how important geology was to the creation of evolutionary theory. It is an engaging and easy introduction to the history of geology – a topic you probably feel you don’t need to know about. You will be glad you do after reading this!

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Members’ Art Exhibition I loved you - you just didn’t see it Autumn 2019 sees the welcome return of our popular Members’ Art Exhibition. Remembering a residency In previous exhibitions, we have In this time of exciting reconstruction applied have until the end of w/c I spent just over a year on and off spoke to about how this place met their The scrolling LED of collected sayings been inspired and delighted by and improvement, when the Library October 28th to submit their work. in BHL researching and developing desires and needs and I found it too in from members which reveal their the wide variety of art works on has witnessed an ever-evolving ideas in response to the Library, the ambition or actions of the staff in feelings. It’s honest, genuine and sad. It show – portraits and landscapes, building-scape of scaffolding and If you have any queries regarding its collections and talking to regard to members. So, I thought hard speaks of people’s needs, of what the figurative or abstract, conceptual, hazard tape, dark passageways and your submission, please contact: members. Over the time I delivered, about being forgotten. Why, given all BHL is for us. thought-provoking or playful. This hi-vis jackets, we are offering the many [email protected], or ask with BHL staff support and some the knowledge, words and possibilities year, we will not have access to the artists among our membership the one of the Library staff. funding from Arts Council England, available to me here had this become An invisible piece that is evidenced Main Gallery in the entrance hall, opportunity to challenge the dust and a range of talks, workshops and the thing I was attracted too? I read here as a facsimile and record. Over but we hope to fill every inch of the the dustsheets with their creations. We are looking forward to working artworks. Images can be found at some science and began to know that the time I have been systematically remaining space with your work. with you all to create a memorable www.kategenever.com along with being forgotten is as detrimental to self- collecting phrases, from conversations, The deadline for applications has exhibition in this important year for examples of other projects and work. esteem as being ostracised or rejected. found in books, and reproducing now passed, those who have already the Library. And there is was… it was about being them as small editions - hiding them What follows is an extract from marginalised… a theme central to my as small editioned artworks in books a presentation I gave at the final practice. My attraction to BHL wasn’t across the whole library. ‘curated conversation’ back in the rational it was emotional. BHL is March. I hope it is of interest. holding a space for people which in And finally, a conceptual piece, activated Notices therapeutic terms means ‘a safe place and completed by you. I have become Bromley [BHL] is a place that cares for where people are seen, and healing can in effect, in a small way, an extension of Christmas Raffle Hamper if you’re having difficulty finding found in the attics (when they come and supports legacies, collections of happen’. It was a refuge / a solace. BHL. I sit quietly and listen to people talk It will soon be time to start collecting something: back from storage). books and maps and docs and photos for our mini Christmas Hampers and pamphlets etc. Items created So, what the hell do I make…. what So, to sum up… I needed this place... I which will be raffled off early in Modern fiction is all now on the Politics, Economics and Law (F) and by people that in effect allows ‘them’ is necessary or needed…? I knew it came to BHL at a sad time in my life. I December. Help us fill them with sweet main floor Antiquities (CC) are now in the New ‘people’ to be kept…. I was struck by didn’t need to be more stuff, instead wanted the residency, I chose this site and savoury treats …. The empty Reading Room, alongside Theology this very early on; we are surrounded I wondered if perhaps I could hold a selfishly, it’s unlike any other place I’ve hamper basket will soon be appearing Local history and special (A) when these books come back by attempts at being remembered. mirror up so others could see what I worked. It offered me what it offers in the library, we have just six weeks to collections are now mostly in the from storage. As a maker I identified with this and saw. In response I made 4 pieces: others - a safe place of no judgement make up six mini hamper bags. Thoroton Room wondered whether BHL was fending away from normal life to relax, repair, When the building work is complete, off existential concerns – fending off Forget me nots picked in the reflect. A refuge. And it saved me in Book moves Newer biographies (CAs) are in the Children’s books will move into one being forgotten? But when I thought garden, captured as photograms, part and in return I hope the works I’ve Many of our books have been moved Ellen Harrington Room, with the of the new attic rooms, as will Art more, I realised it’s not about being photographed on the gallery wall, made supports others. BHL has cared this year so please speak to staff older biographies continuing to be (E). ‘remembered’ rather ‘noticed’ - seen then re-printed and brought back and for me and I care very much for all of it. and cared for. This chimed with people I rehung in the same place. Kate Genever New events Many of the talks in our current series are now fully Next year, we will be hosting occasional Saturday day booked but we have just added a new one into the schools, in partnership with the WEA. The first of these programme: will be:

Lining up the sun – the Bromley House meridian Women and language: A feminist perspective – with sundial with Kaine Bunting and Dr Dan Brown from Roberta Dewa. This Saturday school will explore, from Nottingham Trent University. This talk will explore the a feminist perceptive, the ways in which language history and construction of our unique piece of scientific constructs and defines women. We will touch on heritage, the meridian line, dating back to 1834. feminist theories and explore how women are disadvantaged by language. Wednesday 4th March, 2pm – 3pm. £4 / £5 non-members – reserve your ticket at the counter. Saturday 8th February, 10am - 1pm. Places are £15 - book directly with the WEA on 0115 9628400

Page 10 Page 11 BROMLEY HOUSE LIBRARY NEWSLETTER ‘Where can I….?’ A reminder about the ‘dos and don’ts’ in our rooms:

Quiet working – this isn’t a silent use our WiFi considerately i.e.; not for older materials or in rooms where are library, but we do have two rooms watching films or other activities that book conservators are working (this which tend to be quieter than others use a lot of data. will be clearly signed) and please be – the Neville Hoskins Reading Room considerate to other members. and the New Reading Room. Please Mobile phones – we have two areas be respectful of each other and avoid of the building where we permit Reserved rooms – we put a sign on lengthy or loud conversations in these phone calls – the entrance lobby the door when a room is reserved but, rooms. If you want to have longer and the Garden Wing (for very short in most cases, we are happy for you conversations with us or with each calls only). Please do not make calls to enter the room to quietly browse other, we generally suggest that you anywhere else and put your phone the collections. We’ll make this clearer do this in and around the main room onto silent/vibrate while you are here. on the signs from now on. or coffee room. Eating and drinking – we have a very Smoking – please do not smoke Laptops – we understand that small coffee room so, for this reason, anywhere in the library or garden members want to use laptops in the we’re happy for you to eat and drink (including vapes) library. Please be careful to avoid elsewhere in the library. Please do trailing wires around the building and not have any food or drink around our Dates for your diary Our annual festive Pop Up Shop – 1pm. This is a lovely occasion with Please come along to our Pop Up festive food, wine and cordials, music, Shop on Wednesday 13th November a quiz and a raffle. Tickets are £9.00 11am - 4pm in the Neville Hoskins per person, with a limit of two tickets Reading Room. We will have great per membership, and are on sale from new merchandise with our new Monday 3rd November. branding, handmade Christmas cards and fabulous craft items including Carol Singing Christmas decorations, knitted toys, We’d love you to join us for some scarves and hats. There will be sherry! carol singing on Monday 23rd And cake. December, 3pm – 4.30pm. The counter will be closed during this as As always, all proceeds go towards we will be singing in the main room. the upkeep of the library. Please note that the Library will be closed on the 24th, 25th and 26th Christmas Party December. We close at 1pm on 31st We’re holding our Christmas Party December and re-open after New Year on Saturday 14th December, 11am on the 2nd January 2018. Photo Credit: Sarah Bray

Bromley House Library Stay in touch by email Angel Row Nottingham We have over 1,700 members but NG1 6HL only 950 of you are currently signed 0115 947 3134 up to our monthly e-bulletin. We [email protected] don’t want you to miss out on our www.bromleyhouse.org news so if you’ve not signed up already, sign up via the homepage @BromleyHouse of our website, or have a chat with @BromleyHouseLib one of us at the counter. Registered charity no. 1074752 @BromleyHouseLib Company limited by Guarantee no. 03413612